Upskilling and reskilling in the United Arab Emirates : Future-proofing careers with AI skills

Santandreu Calonge, D. and Kamalov, F. and Medina Aguerrebere, P. and Hassock, L. and Smail, L. and Yousef, D. and Thadani, D.R. and Kwong, T. and Abdulla, N. (2025) Upskilling and reskilling in the United Arab Emirates : Future-proofing careers with AI skills. Journal of Adult and Continuing Education. pp. 1-29. ISSN 1477-9714

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Abstract

The rapid evolution of technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), is reshaping the global job market at an unprecedented pace. This transformative wave presents challenges and opportunities, especially for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as it endeavours to future-proof its workforce. This article examines the imperative of upskilling and reskilling as a strategic response to the dynamic demands of the contemporary job landscape in the UAE. Focusing on the pivotal role of AI skills, the paper explores the current state of the UAE workforce, highlighting the vulnerabilities of existing job roles and industries to technological disruptions. The global context of upskilling initiatives provides a backdrop to understand the urgency of this issue and offers insights into successful implementation strategies.